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Food Safety Conference Explores Food Sustainability

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s (FSAI) Food Safety Consultative Council today hosted an open meeting to discuss how food safety interacts with food sustainability. When Food Safety Met Sustainability explored the need to ensure the food system can meet the ever-changing needs of society, while continuing to protect consumers’ health in relation to food safety. Sustainable food systems must have food safety at the forefront of its processes.

Over 200 people registered for the event, which was held in-person for the first time since 2019, with Irish and international speakers from the FSAI, the University of Nottingham, Codex Alimentarius Commission and representatives from Food Cloud, Keohane Seafoods, Cream of The Crop Gelato and Senoptica Technologies LTD.

Chaired by Ms Suzanne Campbell, Author and Journalist, the event also offered insights into how the pursuit of food sustainability is driving innovation, as well as exploring efforts in policy, standards development and regulation, which are shaping the way our food is produced, distributed and consumed. Understanding and recognising that food safety is a key part of sustainability goals, Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, outlined the importance of food safety remaining front and centre of the necessary journey towards sustainable food systems.

    “Sustainability, the ability to provide for both current and future needs, is an important consideration in food systems. The FSAI is focused on ensuring that food safety and the protection of public health remain at the core of sustainable food systems. The FSAI regards food safety to be an integral part of food sustainability. The European Union has signaled its intentions through the ‘Farm to Fork’ initiative, and Ireland has set out its approach in ‘Food Vision 2030’. As a science-based regulator of food safety, the FSAI is actively engaging with the sustainability agenda in the food-chain. At the FSAI, we continue to explore ways in which we can evolve our regulatory approach to assist consumers in supporting them in making informed choices, and also work with food businesses with the common goal of ensuring the safety of food, in a sustainable manner.”

The open meeting offered members of the public and food businesses an opportunity to engage with the FSAI directly, a point highlighted by Mr Ray Bowe, Chair, Food Safety Consultative Council.

   “The Food Safety Consultative Council always aims to discuss topics that are key in the day-to-day lives of people. It is clear that there is a real desire to explore ways in which food can be produced in a more sustainable manner, and today’s meeting has shown how even small changes can have unexpected consequences, both positive and negative, within food chains. We continue to encourage everyone, including consumers, to embrace the challenges and opportunities in the ways we produce food, while ensuring its safety and nutritional benefits.”

Contributions on the day included Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI; Ray Bowe Chair, Food Safety Consultative Council; Gail Carroll, Directory of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Building, FSAI; Jack A Bobo, Director Food Systems Institute, University of Nottingham; Karen Capcarrere, Food Safety Manager at FoodCloud; Giselle Makinde, Founder, Cream of The Crop Gelato; Brendan Rice, CEO, Senoptica Technologies Ltd; Liz O’Leary, Head of Innovation, Keohane Seafoods and Steven Wearne, Chairperson of Codex Alimentarius Commission.

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Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) Issue Two Food Alerts.

Alert Summary (1).
Recall of specific batches of K. O’Connell Fishmongers Irish Smoked Salmon due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert Notification: 2023.28
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:
The below batches of K O’Connell Fishmongers Irish Smoked Salmon are being recalled due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Recall notices will be displayed at all points-of-sale.

Batch Code: SS30523, Pack size: 150g, 375g, 500g and 1kg, Use by date: 25/11/2023
Batch Code: SS31323, Pack size: 150g, 375g, 500g and 1kg, Use by date: 1/12/2023

Nature Of Danger:
Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: By Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:
Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Caterers should not use the implicated batches.

Consumers:
Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

___________________________________________________________________________

Alert Summary (2).
Undeclared Sulphites in multiple batches of Butler’s Pantry products
Allergen(s): Sulphur dioxide and sulphites
Product Identification: See product details hereunder.
Batch Codes: See also product details hereunder.

Message:
The batches of Butler’s Pantry products contain sulphites which are not declared on the list of ingredients. This may make the affected batches unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphites or sulphur dioxide.

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Presence Of Milk In Batch Of Tesco Chef Sweet Potato & Chickpea Tikka Masala.

Possible presence of milk in a specific batch of Tesco Plant Chef Sweet Potato & Chickpea Tikka Masala.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2023.A28
Allergen: Milk
Product Identification: Tesco Plant Chef Sweet Potato & Chickpea Tikka Masala; pack size: 400g.
Batch Code: L23215S;
Best before date: End of August 2024

Message:

Milk may be present in the above batch of Tesco Plant Chef Sweet Potato & Chickpea Tikka Masala, however, it is not declared on the list of ingredients.
Tesco, prompted by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is recalling this affected batch as it may be unsafe for consumers, latter who are allergic to or intolerant of milk.

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FSAI Report Five Enforcement Orders Served on Food Businesses During October 2023.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that five Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of October, 2023, for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) to premises in Co. Kildare, Co. Meath, Co. Roscommon with two issued in Co. Dublin.
Co. Tipperary saw no Enforcement Orders served during the past month.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in October include: cooking trays not washed after use and congealed with grease and charred food particles; mould growth visible on the internal surfaces of a milkshake blender with a foul odour detected when the lid was removed; the presence of undeclared allergens in food with a potential to cause a life threatening allergic reaction; no evidence of a food safety culture; a drinking water sample taken from the food business indicating contamination of the supply; large open containers of raw chicken left on various surfaces throughout the food premises at room temperature, permitting the growth of bacteria; no hand washing observed during the inspection; filthy premises with dirty cardboard used both as a food contact surface for cooked rice and on the flooring throughout the premises.

Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, (Chief Executive, FSAI), said that the issues resulting in the five Enforcement Orders in October related to failures in basic food safety and hygiene requirements, and expressed her disappointment at the absence of food safety culture in some establishments.

Dr Byrne stated, “Food businesses must ensure there is a strong food safety culture in place, including adequate training for all staff. This simply must be a top priority for food businesses. Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility for managers and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times. Neglecting food safety demonstrates disregard for the well-being of customers and also potentially places their health at an unnecessary risk. There can be zero tolerance for negligent practices that put consumers’ health at risk, and the full powers of food law will be used if a food business is found to be in breach.”

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published and can be viewed on the FSAI’s website, shown here.

Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.

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Tipperary Farming Families Feature At 2023 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Two Tipperary Farming Families Featured Among Winners At 2023 NDC & Kerrygold Quality Milk Awards.

Denis and Teresa Bergin, with their son David, who run their family farm in Kilbragh, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

The Bergin family, (Who supply Centenerary Thurles Co-op), are from Kilbragh, Cashel were crowned the overall runner up at this year’s ceremony.
Denis and Teresa Bergin, with their son David, run their family farm, supported by their son Keith and daughter Avril. David, a fifth-generation farmer, briefly pursued a career as a jockey before returning to his true passion, dairy farming.
The farm is steeped in history, with the ruins of a 12th-century village standing proudly, preserving a piece of the past. An old church and village on the Bergins’ lane are also part of the farm’s heritage.
The Bergin family preserve the historical buildings that surround them as well as maintaining the land itself. They also won the Environment category.
The family’s love for the herd is obvious through their passionate care of their cows above all else. The Bergins exhibit fantastic family unity, often gathering around the kitchen table where everyone is involved in the decision making on the farm.

The Lonergan family from Drangan More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.

The Lonergan family, (Who supply Tipperary Co-op), are from Drangan More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, won the Lowest Carbon Footprint Award.
John Lonergan lives on the farm with his wife Martina and their daughter Cora. John has harboured a deep passion for farming since the age of 12 years, before officially taking the reins of their family farm as a 27 year old.
John now hopes to pass the farm down to Cora, who shares an equal love for the land. Martina plays an integral role on the farm and the Lonergan’s close-knit relationship fosters a strong partnership between the three. Together, Martina and Cora stand as shining examples of the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture. The Lonergans have witnessed the transformative journey of farming, from the horse and trap era to embracing modern technologies.

Both awards were presented at a special ceremony held in Ballymaloe House Hotel, Shanagarry, Co. Cork.

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